This record documents a concert that embodied a set of extraordinary connections. At the heart
of these connections are Christine Duncan and Jean
Martin, collaborators through the already deeply intertwined projects of Jean’s Barnyard
Records and Christine’s Element Choir, the inclusive, community-driven
improvising vocal ensemble. Together, these two enterprises account for a significant quotient of
the energy that drives Toronto’s field of creative improvised music, and on the cold March night of
this event that energy was made palpably, gloriously kinetic. But the connections don’t end there.
Notably, this music includes the two other projects that were feted that night separately; Barnyard
was launching not only the first Element Choir record, but also a solo
disc by New York bass legend, William Parker, and one by the trio of
Jim Lewis, Andrew Downing, and Jean Martin. By the end of the evening, all were playing in the chancel of Christ
Church Deer Park, where Choir collaborator, Eric Robertson, regularly
plays the exquisite Karl Wilhelm organ. The massive sound is dominated by
the Choir — fifty-strong on their debut disc — which had swelled to an unprecedented seventy voices
that night. Moreover, there was the inaudible-but-inestimable contribution of Jeff Schlanger, the MusicWitness®, who painted William during
the majestic solo concert that became At Somewhere There, and who was
delighted to return to document these record-launch celebrations in his magical way. More than
anything, this record is about the connections between all of these extraordinary artists and
people — and the selfless urge, clearly shared by everyone there, to celebrate these connections
through this music.